Container and cap construction

ABSTRACT

A plastic container with an integral cover has a cap screw threaded to the cover. Manipulation of the cap causes the cover to be severed from the container body.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,804,282 Komendowski Apr. 16, 1974CONTAINER AND CAP CONSTRUCTION [56] References Cited [75] Inventor:Henry Komendowski, Evanston, Ill. ED STA ES PATENTS 3,730,372 5/1973Komendowski 215/32 [73] Asslgnee' g gg fif 3,419,172 12/1968 Lee 215/32[22] Filed: May 24, 1972 Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton [21] APP N o256 356 Attorney, Agent, or FirmDominik, Knechtel, Godula & DemeurRelated US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser.:No.200,489, Nov. 19, [57] ABSTRACT 1971' A plastic container with anintegral cover has a cap screw threaded to the cover. Manipulation ofthe cap ..2153625,d2i 5,;3(2) Causes the cover to be severed from thecontainer 58 Field of Search .1 215/32; 220/27 9 Claims, 13 DrawingFigures PATENTED HR 16 I974 SHEET 1 0F 3 FIG. 2

FIG.

FIG.9

CONTAINER AND CAP CONSTRUCTION This application is acontinuation-in-part of copending application, Ser. No. 200,489, filedNov. 19, l97l, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,372.

This invention relates, in general, to improved plastic containers and,inparticular, to improved hermetically sealed plastic containers havinga cap associated therewith which, upon being manipulated, is adapted toopen the container. More particularly still, it relates to an improvedhermetically sealed plastic container having a cap associated therewithwhich, upon being threadedly manipulated, is adapted to'open thecontainer and, furthermore, is adapted to be formed into an implementsuch as a spoon, a fork or a knife for removing the contents from thecontainer.

There presently are numerous different products packaged withinhermetically sealed plastic containers. The plastics used for thesecontainers are of various types, depending to some extent on theparticular type of product packaged therein. In many cases, theseplastics are extremely tough", in the sense that the plastic is noteasily ruptured. Such afeature is extremely desirable since thelikelihood of the plastic container being inadvertently damaged thusspilling or otherwise ruining the product is substantially eliminated.However, by the same token, this feature makes it relatively difficultto open the container to remove the product. Most commonly. thepurchaser resorts to the use of a knife or other sharp instrument to cutan opening into the container. Many purchasers find this to be veryobjectionable, for one reason or another and thus avoid purchasing theproduct. Accordingly, it would be highly advantageous to have a plasticcontainer which can be easily opened, without having to resort to useofa knife or the like.

Recently, various different products such as puddings and the like havebeen packaged in containers as individual servings. In most instances,these individual servings are carriedfor lunch to schools or the office,where they are consumed. Presently, most of these containers are adaptedto be easily opened in some fashion or another, but unless the productis a liquid which can be drunk from the container, a spoon or the likenormally has'to be carried along with the container to remove theproduct for its consumption. Many times carrying an extra spoon, unlessit is of the throw away variety, is a considerable inconvenience, forthe spoon has to be washed and otherwise cared for.

In accordance with the present invention, a plastic container isprovided and the latter can be of the type which is formed, filled andhermetically sealed, all in one continuous operation. Associated withthe plastic container is a cap which, in its simplest form, is merely acylindrical-shaped ring. The end closure on the plastic container andthe cap both are threaded such that the cap can be threaded down ontothe container, until it engages a shoulder on the container. Furtherthreading of the cap onto the container forcibly severs the end closurefrom the container, thus providing an opening into it.

The cylindrical-shaped ring type cap also can be formed to provide animplement, such as, for example, a spoon, for removing a product fromthe container. In particular, the container is formed, filled and sealedin one continuous operation, and has a threaded end closure or cover onit which is adapted to be severed from the container when the cap-issimply threaded onto the container in the manner described above. Whenthe end closure or cover is severed from the container, it is retainedwithin the cap. Upon removing the cover from the cap, the cap is easilyand' simply transformed into an implement which can be used to removethe product from the container.

The plastic container and its associated cap also can be formed toprevent'the cap from being intentionally or inadvertently removed fromthe container. Further still, the cap can be formed to retain thesevered portion of the container, in a fashion such that the containercan be reclosed. Several illustrative examples of containers and caps ofthese types are disclosed, and the construction and operation thereofwill be apparent from the description below.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved molded plastic container which is adapted to be easily opened,without the need of any additional implements.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved hermeticallysealed molded plastic container having a cap associated with it which,upon being threadedly manipulated, is adapted to open the container topermit the product to be removed therefrom.

A still further object is to provide an improved hermetically sealedmolded plastic container having a cap associated with it which, uponbeing threadedly manipulated, is adapted to open the container to permitthe product to be removed therefrom and which further is adapted to beformed into an implement such as a spoon, fork or knife for removing theproduct from the container.

Still another object is to provide an improved container and associatedcap of the above-described type which can be stored and/or shipped as anintegral unit.

A still further object is to provide an improved container andassociated cap of the above-described type which is simple inconstruction and inexpensive.

Other objects of the invention will in partbe obvious and will in partappear hereinafter. 1

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the follow ing detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a cap exemplary of a cap of the typeassociated with the container of the present invention, with the mannerin which the cap is formed into a spoon for removing the product fromthe container illustrated in phantom lines;

I FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the assembled container and itsassociated end cap, the same being partially sectionalized to illustratethe manner in which the cap is threadedly affixed to the container;

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the container with its cover removedand with the cap formed into a spoon for removing the product from thecontainer;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a cap formed in accordance with a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the cap of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view generally illustrating the manner in which the capis formed into a spoon;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial sectional views illustrating various differenthinge locking arrangements which can be used;

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of a container with a cap threadedlyaffixed to it, the latter being sectionalized, exemplary of anembodiment of the invention wherein the cap is secured to the containeragainst intentional or accidental removal;

FIG. 10 is a partial view of the container and cap of FIG. 9 showing analternative construction for providing sealing means on them;

FIG. 11 is a view generally like FIG. 9, illustrating a container andcap exemplary of still another embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views generally like FIGS. 9 and 10, illustrating acontainer and cap exemplary of still another embodiment of the inventionwhere the cap and the severed end closure can be used to reclose thecontainer.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 2 there is illustrated acontainer 10 which preferably is a plastic container which is formed,filled and sealed in one continuous operation. A cover or end closure 11is integrally formed with the body portion 13 of the container, therebyhermetically sealing. the latter. The body portion 13 is provided with aflat shoulder 15, which shoulder 15 forms a seatfor thecylindrical-shaped side wall 18 of the cap 17, for reasons set forthmore specifically below. From the shoulder 15, the body portion 13tapers inwardly and upwardly to provide a weakened connection orundercut 14 between the body portion 13 and the cover 11. This weakenedconnection between the cover 11 and the body portion 13 permits thecover 11 to be separated from the body portion 13. In this respect, thecontainer 10 can be formed and the weakened connection provided, in themanner and with the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,597,793,issued Aug. 10, 1971. While it is preferred that the container 10 be ofthis type, it can, of course, be formed, filled and sealed in separateoeprations. The manner in which the container 10 is actually formed andfilled is immaterial to the essence of the present invention.

Threads 12 are provided on the cover 11, and are formed to threadedlyengage with corresponding threads on the cap 17 to secure the latter tothe container l and in a fashion such as to permit the cap 17, uponbeing threadedly manipulated, to sever the cover 11 from the container.

The cap 17, in its simplest form, is a cylindricalshaped ring having aside wall 18 which is threaded on its interior, for threading engagementwith the threads 12 on the cover 11. The diameter of thecylindricalshaped side wall 18 is such that the lower edge thereof seatson the shoulder 15 on the body portion 13 of the container 10.

The container and its associated cap 17 preferably are packaged forshipment or storage, as illustrated in FIG. 2, with the cap 17threadedly engaged on the cover I]. When assembled in this fashion. thecover 11 is substantially protected against accidental severance fromthe body portion- 13.

To open the container 10, the cap I? simply is threadedly manipulated toscrew it down onto the container 10, to abut its lower edge against theshoulder on the body portion [3. AS the cap 17 is continued to bethreaded downwardly, the cover 11 is caused to be separated or severedfrom the body portion 13, at the weakened undercut portion or area 14which extends annularly thereabout. The cover, upon being severed fromthe body portion 13, is retained within the cap 17. The top of thecontainer 10 is opened, generally as illustrated in FIG. 3.

As indicated above, the cap 17 advantageously can be fon'ned to providean implement for removing the product from the container. In such acase, the cap 17, as can be best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, is generallyopen at its top, but has a central portion thereof which is formed intothe shape of the body portion of an implement, which in the illustratedembodiment is a spoon portion 19. This spoon portion 19 is integrallyaffixed to the side wall 18 by means of a bendable flange 20.

In packaging such a container 10 and cap 17 for shipment or storage, asillustrated in FIG. 2, the spoon portion 19 of the cap 17 preferably isfolded to overly the top of the container 10. The cap 17 protects thecover 11 from accidental severance, and the spoon portion 19 does notadd considerably to the overall height of the package, nor does itinterfere with packing of the same into, for example, a shipping carton.

The container 10 is opened in the fashion described above, by threadingthe cap 17 down onto it to sever the cover 11. The cover 11 is retainedwithin the cap 17, and is removed from the latter simply by threading itout of it. After removing the cover 11, the cylindrical-shaped side wall18 of the cap 17 is squeezed to extend it into an oblong shape,generally as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, and the spoon portion 19 isbent or folded over at the flange portion 20 to form a spoonlikeimplement. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the latter then can be used toremove the product from the container 10. Upon emptying the container10,.the entire package can be disposed of.

In FIGS. 4-6, there is illustrated another cap 30 which, like the cap17, includes a cylindrical-shaped side wall 31 which is threaded on itsinterior, for

threading engagement with the threads 12 on the cover' 11. The diameterof the side wall 31 also is such that its lower edge seats on theshoulder 15 on the body portion 13 of the container 10. Like the cap 17,the cap 30 is generally open at its top, but has a central portionthereof which is formed into the shape of a spoon portion 32 and isintegrally affixed to the side wall 31 by means of a flexible hinge 33.

The spoon portion 32 has an upstanding locking tab 34 which iscorrespondingly. formed to lockingly engage within a lockingslot 35formed on the side wall 31, when the spoon portion 32 is folded over atthe hinge 33. These interlocking means, that is, locking tab 34 andlocking slot 35, can assume numerous different shapes and constructions,such as those illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 7 and 8. For example, asshown in FIG. 7, the side edges of the locking tab 34 can be beveled andthe locking slot 35 correspondingly formed to snapactingly receive thelocking tab 34, to retain the latter therein. Alternatively, the lockingtab 34 and the locking slot can be formed with projecting snap tabs 36and 37 which are snapactingly received with correspondingly formedlocking cavities. Numerous other interlocking means likewise can beprovided, to retain the spoon portion 32 in an open position, asillustrated in FIG. 6.

The cap 30 is manipulated in the same fashion to open the container 10and, after removing the severed cover 11, the spoon portion 32 is foldedover until the locking tab 34 interlocks within the locking slot 35. Theside wall 31 then can be squeezed into an oval shape, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3, to form a handle.

The caps 17 and 30 can be of metal or plastic, but if it is of plastic,a construction such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 is preferred.The reason for this is the fact that the hinge 33 (or may not havesufficient rigidity to provide a relatively sturdy implement, because ofthe resiliency of the plastic. By providing interlocking means thereon,this problem is overcome. Also, when the cap is of plastic, pairs ofopposed notches 41 advantageously are provided in the side wall, asillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, to assist in squeezing and retaining thecap in an oval handle-shape configuration.

In the above-described embodiments, the body portion of the implementformed with the cover is integrally affixed to the side wall by means ofa generally resilient hinge. It will be appreciated, however, that thehinge can be frangible so that the body portion can be severed from theside wall and used independently of the latter or, alternatively, theside wall and the body portion can be provided with interlocking meanssuch as, for example, a tongue and groove coupling arrangement, foraffixing them together to form the implement. Also, while the caps 17and may find the greatest utility when used in combination with acontainer such as the container 10, that is, a container which also canbe opened simply by manipulating the cap, it is apparent that the capscan be threadedly or otherwise affixed to or provided with any type ofcontainer, to provide an implement for removing the prod uct from thecontainer. For example, the cap can be simply snap-fitted over one endof the container for shipment or storage, and once the container isopened, the cap can be formed into an implement in the describedfashion.

Referring now to FIG. 9 of the drawings, there is illustrated stillanother container 50 having a cover 51 on the end of its body portion.Threads 52 are formed on the cover 51, for threading engagement with thethreads of the cap 60. A weakened undercut 53 again is provided on thecoverSl, to permit the latter to be severed from the container, in thefashion described below. The container 50 also has an annular shoulder54 against which the cap 60 is forcibly engaged to sever the cover 51.At least one ratchet tooth 55 is formed on the top wall 56 of the cover51 on the container, for reasons set forth more specifically below.Also, the container 50 can have a neck portion 57 having an annulargroove 58 therein for receiving sealing means, such as the O-ring gasket59, for sealing the interior of the cap 60. The latter may be providedfor use in those cases where the cover 51 is sterilized, prior tothreadedly affixing the cap 60 to the container. Alternatively, asillustrated in FIG. 10, the neck portion of the container can beprovided witha flat shoulder 110, against which the lower edge of thecap seats. This lower edge, in such a case. can have a sealing gasketcavity 111 formed in it, for receiving therein sealing means, such asthe O-ring gasket 113. Additional sealing means, such as an adhesivetape or the illustrated heat shrink plastic band 114, can be secured tothe container and the cap to seal the exposed juncture between them.Such sealing means would also be tamper-proof and, if removed or broken,would provide an immediate indication that the sterile seal on thecontainer has been broken. Other types of sealing gaskets and the likealso can be used, as dictated by various different applications.

The cap 60, in this case, includes a side wall 61 and a top wall 62which has a ratchet tooth 63 formed thereon for cooperative engagementwith the ratchet tooth 55 on the cover 51. The side wall 61 of the cap60 is threaded for engagement with the threads 52 on the cover 51. Areduced diameter portion of the side wall 61 of the cap 60 forms anannular shoulder or ledge 64 which will abuttingly engage the annularshoulder 54 of the container.

The cap 60 is threadedly engaged on the container 50 and, in threadingthe cap down onto the container, the ratchet teeth 55 and 63 willlockingly engage, as illustrated, to prevent the cap 60 from beingremoved from the container 50, so that the cap 60 cannot beintentionally or inadvertently removed from the container 50 prior toopening it.

The container 50 is opened to permit the product therein to be removed,by threading the cap 60 onto it, in the fashion described above. As thecap 60 is threaded onto the container 50, the annular shoulder or ledge64 in the side wall 61 of the cap engages the annular shoulder 54 on thecover 51 and, as the cap is continued to be threaded down, the cover 51is severed from the container, at the weakened undercut 53.

In FIG. 11, there is illustrated still anothercontainer having a cover71 formed thereon for sealing the open end of the-container. The cover71 has threads 72 on it for threading engagement with correspondingthreads in the cap 80. The cover 71 of the container 70 includes an endclosure 73 which is integrally affixed to it at the juncture point of aweakened undercut 75 in the cover 71. The end closure 73 has an annularrib 74 on it which is of a substantially larger diameter. A ratchettooth 76 is provided on the top wall 77 of the end closure 73.

The cap 80, in this case, has a side wall 81 and a top wall 82, with aratchet tooth 83 formed on the latter to cooperatively engage with theratchet tooth 76 on the container 70, to prevent the cap from beingintentionally or inadvertently removed. An annular groove 84 is providedin the side wall 81 of the cap 80, for receiving therein the annular rib74 on the end closure 73.

To open the container 70, the cap 80 is threaded onto the container, andas the cap 80 is threaded downwardly, the end closure 73 is severed fromthe cover 71, at the weakened undercut 75. In this case, the respectiveedges of the annular rib 74 and the annular groove 84 form shouldersagainst which the cap 80 bears to forcibly sever the end closure 73.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, another container is disclosed having a cover 91thereon which is terminated by means of an end closure 92. The cover 91has threads 95 provided on it for threading engagement withcorresponding threads in the cap 100. The end closure 92 is integrallyaffixed to the cover 91 at a weakened undercut 93, and an annular rib104 of a substantially larger diameter is provided on the end closure92.

The cap has a side wall 101 and a top wall 102 which has an opening 103therein for receiving therethrough the end closure 92 on the container90. An annular groove 104 is provided in the side wall 101, for

7 receiving therein the annular rib 94 on the end closure 92.

As in the case of the container 70 and cap 80, the respective edges ofthe annular rib 94 and the annular groove 104 provide the shouldersagainst which the cap 100 bears as it is threaded onto the container, tosever the end closure 92 therefrom. In this case, the arrangement issuch that the end closure 92 is retained within the cap 100, asillustrated in FIG. 13, so that the cap 100 and the retained end closure92 can be used to reclose the container 90. The manner in which thecontainer 90 is reclosed is generally illustrated in phantom, in FIG.13.

From the above description, it can be seen that in each case a containeris provided which can be easily opened, simply by threadinglymanipulating the cap associated with it, to thread the latter onto thecontainer. in several of the embodiments, the cap can be secured to thecontainer in a fashion such as to secure the same against accidental orunintentional removal, prior to the time that it is actually desired toopen the container to dispense the products therfrom. Also, in stillanother embodiment of the invention, the end closure of the cover on thecontainer is adapted to be severed and retained within the cap so thatthe cap and the severed end closure can be used to reclose thecontainer. In addition, a further embodiment is disclosed in which thecap can have a portion of an implement for removing a product from thecontainer integrally formed with it in a fashion such that the cap canbe fashioned into, for example, a spoon.

it will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained andcertain changes may be made in the above article. Accordingly, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed as new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A hermetically sealed plastic container having a body portion and acover integrally formed therewith, a cap threadedly engaged with saidcover and operable to sever said cover from said containerwhen said capis threaded down on said container to thereby open said container, saidcontainer and said cap being formed with shoulders which are engageablewith one another as said cap is threaded down onto said container, saidcap when said shoulders are engaged exerting a force on said cover tosever it from said container, said cap further comprising a top wall,said top wall of said cap and said cover have cooperative locking meansthereon which are engaged when said cap is affixed to said cover on saidcontainer, said cooperative locking means securing said cap on saidcontainer against accidental or intentional removal.

2. The plastic container and cap of claim 1, wherein said cooperativelocking means comprise at least one ratchet tooth on each said top wallof said cap and said cover.

3. A hermetically sealed plastic container having a body portion and acover integrally formed therewith, a cap threadedly engaged with saidcover and operable to sever said cover from said container when said capis threaded down on said container to thereby open said container, saidcontainer and said cap being formed with shoulders which are engageablewith one another as said cap is threaded down onto said container,saidcap when said shoulders are engaged exerting a force on said cover tosever it from said container, said container further including a neckportion, an annular groove in one of said neck portion and the side wallof said cap, a sealing gasket disposed within said annular groove foreffectively sealing said cover within said cap.

4. The plastic container and cap of claim 3, wherein said neck portionhas said annular groove formed in it, said cap having a portion of itsside wall extending beyond said annular groove and engaged by thesealing gasket disposed therein to effectively seal said cover withinsaid cap.

5. The plastic container and cap of claim 3, wherein said neck portionterminates with a flat shoulder against which the lower edge of the sidewall of said cap seats, said lower edge of said side wall of said caphaving a sealing gasket cavity therein for receiving said sealinggasket, whereby said cover is effectively sealed within said cap whenthe lower edge of its side wall is seated on said flat shoulder.

6. The plastic container and cap of claim 3, further including sealingmeans disposed about said cap and said container effectively sealing thejuncture between said cap and container.

7. The plastic container and cap of claim 6, wherein said sealing meanscomprises a heat shrink plastic band.

8. A hermetically sealed plastic container having a body portion and acover integrally formed therewith, a cap threadedly engaged with saidcover and operable to sever said cover from said container when said capis threaded down on said container to thereby open said container, saidcover having an end closure integrallyformed therewith, said end closurehaving an annular extending rib thereon, said cap having an annulargroove formed in it for receiving therein said annular rib on said endclosure, the respective edges of said annular groove and rib formingshoulders which engage with one another when said cap is threaded ontosaid container to exert a force on said end closure to sever it fromsaid container.

9. The plastic container and cap of claim 8, wherein said end closure isretained within said cap when severed from said container by theengagement of said annular rib within said annular groove in said cap.

1. A hermetically sealed plastic container having a body portion and acover integrally formed therewith, a cap threadedly engaged with saidcover and operable to sever said cover from said container when said capis threaded down on said container to thereby open said container, saidcontainer and said cap being formed with shoulders which are engageablewith one another as said cap is threaded down onto said container, saidcap when said shoulders are engaged exerting a force on said cover tosever it from said container, said cap further comprising a top wall,said top wall of said cap and said cover have cooperative locking meansthereon which are engaged when said cap is affixed to said cover on saidcontainer, said cooperative locking means securing said cap on saidcontainer against accidental or intentional removal.
 2. The plasticcontainer and cap of claim 1, wherein said cooperative locking meanscomprise at least one ratchet tooth on each said top wall of said capand said cover.
 3. A hermetically sealed plastic container having a bodyportion and a cover integrally formed therewith, a cap threadedlyengaged with said cover and operable to sever said cover from saidcontainer when said cap is threaded down on said container to therebyopen said container, said container and said cap being formed withshoulders which are engageable with one another as said cap is threadeddown onto said container, said cap when said shoulders are engagedexerting a force on said cover to sever it from said container, saidcontainer further including a neck portion, an annular groove in one ofsaid neck portion and the side wall of said cap, a sealing gasketdisposed within said annular groove for effectively sealing said coverwithin said cap.
 4. The plastic container and cap of claim 3, whereinsaid neck portion has said annular groove formed in it, said cap havinga portion of its side wall extending beyond said annular groove andengaged by the sealing gasket disposed therein to effectively seal saidcover within said cap.
 5. The plastic container and cap of claim 3,wherein said neck portion terminates with a flat shoulder against whichthe lower edge of the side wall of said cap seats, said lower edge ofsaid side wall of said cap having a sealing gasket cavity therein forreceiving said sealing gasket, whereby said cover is effectively sealedwithin said cap when the lower edge of its side wall is seated on saidflat shoulder.
 6. The plastic container and cap of claim 3, furtherincluding sealing means disposed about said cap and said containereffectively sealing the juncture between said cap and container.
 7. Theplastic container and cap of claim 6, wherein said sealing meanscomprises a heat shrink plastic band.
 8. A hermetically sealed plasticcontainer having a body portion and a cover integrally formed therewith,a cap threadedly engaged with said cover and operable to sever saidcover from said container when said cap is threaded down on saidcontainer to thereby open said container, said cover having an endclosure integrally formed therewith, said end closure having an annularextending rib thereon, said cap having an annular groove formed in itfor receiving therein said annular rib on said end closure, therespective edges of said annular groove and rib forming shoulders whichengage with one another when said cap is threaded onto said container toexert a force on said end closure to sever it from said container. 9.The plastic container and cap of claim 8, wherein said end closure isretained within said cap when severed from said container by theengagement of said annular rib within said annular groove in said cap.